< Previouspreplan and get everything approved ahead of time.” Multiple South Carolina associa- tions also meet in Myrtle Beach, includ- ing the Municipal Association of South Carolina, South Carolina Community Development Association, South Caro- lina Utility Billing Association, Munici- pal Technology Association of SC, SC Association of Municipal Power Sys- tems, Municipal Court Administration of SC, SC Municipal Human Resources Association, SC Business Licensing Officials Association, SC Municipal Finance Officers, Clerks, and Treasur- ers Association. Ken Ivey, manager of member services, says attendance ranges from 80 to 1500. The groups use a number of hotels, including Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Ocean- front Resort, Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes and Sheraton Myrtle Beach. Room price, brand and location related to the beach, shopping and dining have all been factors in choosing hotels. Ivey says, his experience with Visit Myrtle Beach and its partner hotels has been positive, but feels that the industry as a whole is still facing issues since COVID. “In general, hotel staff- ing remains an issue in all of the cit- ies where we host events. Hotel sales teams are untrained and, in many cases, don’t return phone calls or emails. They have no idea how to sell their property or close business or any idea about cus- tomer service. There’s an overall lack of sales training and the relationships many of us built over decades don’t exist since COVID.” As for local resources, Ivey recom- mends the convention center staff and the CVB. “The CVB has helped me secure locations for events, dinners and hotels and assisted with transportation. There are so many options in Myrtle Beach, I recommend working with the CVB as they can help you find the per- fect place to for your events.” The bottom line, Ivey notes, is that his groups really enjoy Myrtle Beach because of the location and all there is to do there. “We will definitely meet in Myrtle Beach again.” North Carolina Nestled in the heart of North Caro- lina is Greensboro, better known as the ‘Gate City.” Back in 1851, when the city was founded, 60 trains quickly began to arrive and depart on tracks running in different directions, becoming a gate to several eastern destinations. Today, Greensboro’s perfect blend of southern charm, hospitality, modern amenities, culinary arts and culture scene has drawn event planners looking for a destination with a colorful tapestry, showcasing the city’s unique diversity and creativity. This year, Greensboro History Museum is commemorating 100 years of sharing Greensboro history themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 202440 The Barefoot Resort in Myrtle Beach, FL, is known for its four premium golf courses: The Love, The Dye, The Norma and The Fazio, pictured. COURTESY OF TISH ANDERSON COURTESY PHOTO The South Carolina Association of Counties has been drawn to the Wild Dunes Resort near Charleston, SC, for its annual conference in recent years due to its expansive meeting space, amenties and updated rooms.with Gate City residents, and visitors from all over the world have been invited to partake in the celebrations. At Greensboro, groups can indulge in dining at a choice of more than 500 restaurants and find comfort in a selec- tion of more than 96 accommodations that feel just like home. From resorts like Grandover Resort & Spa, A Wynd- ham Grand Hotel, with 244 rooms and 45,000 of meeting space; to smaller venues such as O. Henry Jazz, a luxury hotel where elegance and southern hos- pitality meet, this vibrant city has it all. The Greensboro Area Conven- tion and Visitors Bureau, near the downtown area, is dedicated to creat- ing exceptional experiences for both organizers and attendees. It boasts a variety of meeting and convention ven- ues — from the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, which hosts conventions, meetings, sports events and entertain- ment, to the Koury Convention Center, the city’s largest hotel with extensive meeting facilities, to distinctive spaces available at parks and museums — Greensboro provides unique options for memorable events. Less than an hour-drive from Greensboro is Durham, a city that has morphed into a showcase of contempo- rary urban development with a vibrant dining scene, excellent breweries and distilleries, a revitalized downtown and surprising cultural depth. It’s not just the presence of Duke University; the city’s art and historical sites provide much to entice attendees. The Specialized Square Dance Production Group (planning group) will brought the 41st annual conven- tion of the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs (IAGSDC) to the city this summer. Mark Ambrose, chair & CEO, says Durham offers much for the group. “Durham is one of the smallest cit- ies to host an IAGSDC convention. We selected it, in part because it has a small, walkable downtown. It’s also a very LGBTQ-friendly city. When we started the planning process in 2018, downtown Durham was pleasant and interesting but not that exciting. Since then, the downtown has exploded with new restaurants, pubs and bars. Down- town Durham just got better and better as our convention dates got closer.” The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is also a plus. “It’s large enough to have flight schedules that work for most of our attendees but small enough to be a low-stress, easy- to-navigate airport. The only downside was the lack of direct bus service.” Discover Durham, another of the city’s assets, helped the group obtain permits to use the armory in advance of the city’s annual lottery to rent the venue, helped coordinate multiple hotels to get sufficient rooms, obtained letters of support and welcome from local gov- ernment officials, and more. The city’s venues were a great fit for the group. “Durham Convention Center plus the Durham Armory were just the right size for us,” Ambrose says. “We needed six halls for dancing plus space for a banquet dinner and a brunch.” That said, he notes, negotiating with the Durham Convention Center during the pandemic was challenging. Although a great fit, the venues were not the norm for IAGSDC, which usually books a large conference hotel where they can negotiate a single contract for hotel room, catering and 41 JULY 2024 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES VISITGREENSBORONCCOM MAKEASTATEMENT Make your talking points the talk of the town in Greensboro, NC. From convention centers to lavish hotels, we’ve got the space you need to get your work done, along with a booming local food and brewery scene, and a rich cultural landscape. Start planning your next meeting today.dance/meeting space. “Using a conven- tion center presented us with financial challenges,” Ambrose says. “Usually, the dance space has been complimen- tary if we meet our room block and catering commitments. Not so when using a convention center! We were only able to afford it because we were able to reduce other costs.” The group did consider conference hotels, but the event was too big for most in the area. “The only one that would work was the Sheraton Imperial, which was the right size, but we rejected it because it’s in Research Triangle Park, far from most dining and entertain- ment options. As a result, we had to use every hotel within reasonable walking distance of the Durham Convention Center to get enough rooms. Our HQ hotels are the Durham Marriott City Center (attached to the convention center) and the Durham 21c Museum Hotel, a three-minute walk. We also had room blocks at The Durham Hotel, the Unscripted Hotel, the Aloft Durham Downtown, and the Residence Inn Durham McPherson/Duke University Medical Center. We were able to negotiate reasonable rates at all of these. Ambrose says the lack of a single large convention center hotel was a challenge. “The largest of our hotels was the Marriott with only 189 rooms. There are many hotel rooms within a 15-min- ute drive of downtown Dur- ham, which works fine for meetings that draw from the local area or neighboring states, where most folks will drive. That’s not appealing for a national event where attendees are mostly flying into town and don’t want to rent a car.” His suggestions for oth- ers planning an event in downtown Durham start with working with Discover Durham. In addition, he says: • Be sure the venue size works for you. The Dur- ham Convention Center worked just right for us, but if we had had 200 more attendees, it wouldn’t have worked because they don’t have a single room that can seat 775 for dinner. • Consider the importance of Durham’s vibrant but com- pact downtown. If that’s not a priority, maybe a confer- ence hotel, such as the Sheraton Imperial RTP or the Hilton Raleigh North Hills might be a better choice. • Consider how many attendees you expect to drive in and how many will fly. This can greatly affect the appeal of certain venues to your attendees. • If your event is one that moves around the country, consider how you’re going to “sell” your location. Additionally, he says, hav- ing people spread among six hotels can be a challenge. “Some folks in our organization thought we were crazy to do it this way. We promoted it by saying, ‘In most places, our conven- tion takes over a hotel; in Durham, we are taking over the whole downtown!’” Ambrose also notes that Durham isn’t a “destination” city. “It’s a lovely city with lots to see and do, but it’s not Washington, San Fran- cisco, Toronto, Charleston or Asheville. I had to constantly tell folks that our convention was in Durham, not Raleigh, not Raleigh-Durham. Many attendees knew nothing about the city or the area.” The North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHEA) held its Spring Seminar in Febru- ary in Pinehurst, NC. Pine- hurst is renowned for golf but it’s also a great meeting destination. “Have you been to Pinehurst?” asks Dona R. Noblett, chapter administra- tor and event coordinator. “If not, you need to go. This loca- tion has been so popular with our attendees, our numbers have dramatically increased.” The group first met in Pinehurst in March 2023. “That year, we had 306 attendees, up from 204 at our previous location. This year, we had 621. We’ll for sure be back in 2025.” And as the group has grown, Noblett says the Pinehurst Resort staff has worked with them to accommodate their changing needs. “They’ve really have been part of our planning and NCHEA ‘family.’” The resort area doesn’t have a typical convention center, but Noblett believes that’s one of the attrac- tive things about it. “The history and unique venues are a draw,” she says. “We’ve always been able to make the space meet our needs.” As for Pinehurst’s assets, Noblett says, “Location, location, location. We’re a North Carolina organization and Pinehurst is centrally located for us. Our members drive in from the mountains to the ocean, so we want a venue convenient for themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2024 The Durham Convention Center is located walking distance to theaters, shopping, art galleries, breweries, restaurants and museums. Dona R. Noblett Chapter Administrator and Event Coordinator, North Carolina Healthcare Association Our members drive in from the mountains to the ocean, so we want a venue convenient for members across the state. COURTESY OF DISCOVER DURHAM 42members across the state. Pinehurst is also close to a couple of international airports. Most of our speakers fly into RDU in Raleigh, just an hour away. Pinehurst has airport shuttles as well.” The group has used many venues within the resort. “Our education sessions are in the Carolina Hotel, where we sit over 400 and serve 300+ for lunch. We book the Cradle for our Community FUNdraiser event with 120 golfers. I think I’ve stayed in almost every overnight venue — the Carolina Hotel, The Manor, The Holly Inn and the Villas. I can’t pick a favorite!” She advises planning well in advance, saying, “Pinehurst is a great place to meet; just remember, it’s a bucket-list golf location for many. It’s always a beautiful day in Pinehurst, even if it’s raining! Did I mention the spa?” The American Legion held its 104th National Convention in Charlotte, NC, last summer with 6,800 attendees, with The Westin Charlotte as HQ hotel, according to Bridget Robinson, CMP, CMM, director, national convention & meetings. Robinson sees planning these days in a positive light. She says, “There’s greater support and emphasis on collaboration, decision-making and building relationships. There’s growing recognition of the value of well-organized meetings, leading to increased investment and assistance. As planners, we’re the subject-matter experts being leaned on to make executive decisions and we deserve a seat at that table.” She advises working with Visit Charlotte, saying, “They’re an extension of your team and an additional resource to ele- vate your event.” Michael E. Walton, chairman, The American Legion Convention Com- mission, calls Char- lotte an outstanding destination. “As a 25+ year member of The American Legion Conven- tion Commission and now chairman, I’ve attended every national convention of The American Legion held in Char- lotte. The city has been an outstanding destination for all our American Legion Family, includ- ing The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The Ameri- can Legion. We have three national conventions happening simultaneously.” Among Charlotte’s attributes is that it’s easily accessible by plane, train and car. “I live in Springfield, Illinois, and have driven to Charlotte on more than one occasion,” Walton notes. “The hotels are top-notch, and the lodging costs are, for the most part, affordable. The downtown area has grown into a highly active area with lots of entertainment, restaurants and many other activities that our attendees enjoy.” He says the convention center is another plus as it’s easy for attendees to get around and staff is easy to work with — even with changes. “They maintain 24-hour contact with our convention team and make sure they live up to all they agreed to — and many times much more.” Like Robinson, he highly recommends the CVB. “Last, but not least, is Visit Charlotte under the leadership of Michael Butts. I’ve said many times over the years that cities across America could learn a lot about how to get, then work with, a group holding a large national convention by going to Char- lotte to see ‘how it should be done,’” he says. “The entire team makes every effort to please, no matter what we need or ask for. It’s like the word no is not in their vocabulary. This team is one of the best in the industry.” Oceanfront, university town, revered golf resort, cosmo- politan city — the Carolinas have them all. Choose your perfect meeting destination. | AC&F | JULY 2024 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island, formerly Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa, will be the only Hilton-branded full-service resort within 200 miles of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. This world-class oceanfront hotel’s brand change comes on the heels of a recent multi-million dollar ren- ovation that includes a transformation of 513 guest rooms and suites, including the Presidential Suite and four Vice Presidential Suites, award-winning dining, three championship golf courses and a lavish new spa. The Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island specializes in produc- ing events that impress. Located in the exclusive residential community of Pal- metto Dunes, whether stroll- ing the three miles of pristine beach, playing the three PGA golf courses, or exploring the 2,000 acres of natural beauty and outdoor activities, this is the ideal setting for planners and attendees to create unfor- gettable memories. Located across from Pal- metto Dunes on 285 acres of saltwater coastline, the Shelter Cove Community includes Shelter Cove Har- bour, Shelter Cove Plaza and the new Shelter Cove Towne Centre. There’s an abundance of bike paths and pedestrian walkways — a fabulous playground of dining, shopping, nightlife, boating, water sports and excursions, theater, picnics and festivals. The team of meeting professionals at the Hilton Head Island Visitor and Convention Bureau is dedi- cated to ensuring every planner’s convention, meeting, event or special celebration is a great success. A Crown Jewel Among Hilton Enjoy ocean breezes at South Carolina’s newly rebranded Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa Hilton Head Island. COURTESY OF HILTON 43themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2024 From morning to night, Las Vegas’s is a city that never sleeps, but never quits. It is constantly evolving to exceed traveler’s expectations. Some of the world’s most spectacular venues are centered on downtown Las Vegas and on the Las Vegas Strip just outside city limits. Reportedly, 2023 was a record-breaking year for the city, with globally significant openings and events. It was the kind of year to remember as one of the biggest in Las Vegas history. It’s hard to top that. After all, among the open- ings were the one-of-a-kind Sphere — at 366 feet high, 516 feet wide spanning 875,000 sf — and the Durango Casino & Resort, which recently opened in the southwest Las Vegas Valley, about 10 miles from the Strip. Any event at these two new venues is going to be nothing short of spectacular! “Demand is certainly up!” That’s the word from Iain Mack- enzie, CEM, CMP, former vice president of the International Sign Association in Alexandria, VA, to event organizers consid- ering Las Vegas for their next meetings destination. “We found a lot of excitement with attendees ready to travel and make the kind of connections that can only be found at an event like ISA International Sign Expo,” says MacKenzie. “They also were in a buying mood. Ultimately, we found that people are excited to travel to Vegas. It’s really such a unique destination with lots of air lift.” For non-stop entertainment, hosting celebrations, meet- ings and trade shows, it’s hard to imagine a city better suited to welcoming a wide array of leisure and business travelers. Start with Harry Reid International Airport — conveniently located close to the Las Vegas Boulevard, Convention Center. Add an annual average of 320 days of sunshine, world-class dining and resorts, plus 16 million sf of event space and superb convention services, and it’s easy to see why Las Vegas ranks high as a top-choice meetings destination. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas When it came to selecting a meeting site for the Profes- sional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) Conference of 1,200+ attendees, vice president of meetings and events, Diane Dukes, CMP, VEMM, selected The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas luxury resort for several reasons. “The meeting space was stacked; you can get to it with- out having to go through the casino. The hotel is ‘sexy’ and appropriate for our attendees,” she says. This unique luxury resort hotel in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip provided Dukes’ group a lot of places to gather, see and explore — from their one-of-a-kind Restaurant Collection featuring DESTINATION UPDATE Las Vegas The Neon Oasis in the Desert Lights Up the Sky By Nancy Mueller and Maritza Cosano N ext year, Las Vegas will be celebrating 120 years, and as the largest metropolitan established in the 20th century, the ‘neon oasis in the desert’ is certainly fond of change and reinventing itself. Unsurprisingly, Las Vegas’ insatiable taste for living life hard and fast appeals to event planners looking for a resort city that goes beyond the glitz, gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment and nightlife, though Las Vegas is internationally renowned for all those things and more. DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM 44the Las Vegas debuts of world-class chefs to the vibrant nightlife, to more than 240,000 sf of vertically integrated meeting space. Dukes was happy to learn that event organizers have access to state-of-the-art meeting technology, and dedicated meet- ing services that assist in event design, entertainment selection and craft menus that align with their meeting’s goals and set the desired mood for their attendees. “At the Cosmo, we had all the meeting and event space we needed, with elevators dropping us off directly on the meeting room floors,” Dukes points out. “Because it is affiliated with Marriott, our attendees were able to get their Bonvoy points, too.” Depending on the property, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn between 2.5 and 10 points per dollar spent. Additionally, Dukes’ group made use of The Chelsea, a 40,000-sf event and performance event space in the heart of The Strip. This uniquely designed reception suites and performance space offers a variety of gatherings from morning to night. “There were also several cool bars and restaurants and speakeasies [like The Barbershop Cuts and Cock- tails] for PLUS to use and for our attendees to rent out on the open night for sponsors,” says Dukes, who enjoyed the entertainment options the group explored like the 100,000-sf casino offering slot machines, tournaments, giveaways and exclusive event experiences. For ultimate pampering and rejuvenation, attend- ees took advantage of the desert-inspired body treat- ments, scrubs and massage sessions at Sahra Spa, Salon & Hammam. Many of them indulged in the 80-min- ute Red Flower Hammam Experience featuring the intoxicating scents and sensations of 11 flower oils and fruit essences, or opted for the Mana Lomi massage incorporating Hawaiian healing concepts for body, mind and spirit, and the Shara Signature Massage that combines Thai, Swedish and Shiatsu techniques. The Cosmopolitan’s guest accommodations include a vari- ety of spacious rooms, suites and studios with many featuring oversized private terraces offering views of The Strip and the surrounding mountains. Dukes recommends planners do their homework for optimal room pricing and venue availability. “They should also be sure to do a site inspection and ask questions about current, past and future plans to renovate that may impact meeting scheduling,” she says. “Ask what else is happen- ing in the city and check to see what services are provided or perhaps now excluded or with limited hours, like room service or housekeeping. Keep researching the venues that are already booked to determine if things like this will affect your group.” MGM Grand Jennifer Pettigrew, VP of meetings & events for Self -Stor- age Association, says “Las Vegas is a great location if you are looking for large hotels with plenty of meeting space, restau- rants and entertainment. Everything is centrally located, so renting a car is not important.” Like Dukes, Pettigrew recommends doing a site visit. “The hotel will go out of the way to walk you through the venue so you can realistically envision whether your event will work there or not.” Despite the fact that “Prices are increasing quite a bit across the board (not just in Las Vegas),” says Pettigrew, “We found that our attendees and vendors are willing to absorb that increase to do business. We set an all-time attendance record in 2022 for our Fall Conference at the MGM Grand.” From Pettigrew’s perspective, that’s heartening news. “It’s nice to see the city is doing well, because I moved here in 2020 right before the pandemic hit. From a personal and professional standpoint, it’s rewarding for me to see Vegas thriving again.” The Self-Storage Asso- ciation’s four-day real estate conference and trade show for 3,000+ attendees “has been coming to the MGM Grand since 2019,” notes Pettigrew. “We were looking for a larger venue that could accommodate our meeting space and trade show, and MGM was the perfect fit. The MGM family of proper- ties have been great to work with and the space accom- modates our needs. “Attendees typically enjoy Vegas, and they almost always want to stay at the confer- ence hotel for convenience. The MGM Grand has a great staff. They have always been accessible, attentive, punctual and willing to adapt to accommodate our specific needs. The vendors have plenty of options to wine and dine their clients, and there are lots of shows and never-ending entertainment.” For dining, “We have utilized numerous restaurants/bars for our events,” says Pettigrew. “Wet Republic and Hakkasan are great options for large receptions. We have also used Whis- key Down and Losers bar for some of our smaller events. Some great restaurants for our staff outings are Nobu and Morimoto.” Resorts World Las Vegas Owned by The Genting Group and Hilton Hotels, Resorts World Las Vegas has all the resources to host a magnificent event that wows a crowd. The resort features three Hilton hotels — Conrad Las Vegas, Las Vegas Hilton and Crockfords Las Vegas, as well as a 117,000-sf casino housed in a 59-story tower. Known as the first integrated resort to be built on the Las Vegas Strip in over a decade, Resorts World Las Vegas is a sleek, new property offering what most event attendees look for in a Vegas venue — luxury, value and variety. 45 JULY 2024 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Resorts World Las Vegas offers easy access to the convention center and airport via its transportation station called The Vegas Loop. COURTESY PHOTOResorts World Las Vegas is located on the doorstep of the Las Vegas Convention Center expansion, so meetings are ideal for groups and events of almost any size. The Lily Ballroom features floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious outdoor ter- race at Rose Ballroom, offering unmatched views of The Strip. Booking rooms at the Resorts World Las Vegas is simple. With Hilton Las Vegas’ 1,678 rooms, Conrad Las Vegas Resorts World’s 1,496, and Crockfords’ 332, the 3,506 rooms span, three hotel towers with three unique brands, Resorts World Las Vegas is the largest Hilton brand partnership and Hilton’s largest Conrad property, which offers an exclusive view of the city’s legendary lights. Las Vegas Convention Center Vegas means business, and the Las Vegas Convention Cen- ter puts your business at the center of everything. Only four miles from the LAS Airport and centrally located on The Strip, from this vantage point, you can conduct business and watch street life Vegas unfold. Owned and operated by The Las Vegas Convention and Vis- itors Authority, the Las Vegas Convention Center is Las Vegas’ megaphone. It not only provides rental of its facilities and con- ventions, trade shows and entertainment services, but creates iconic global campaigns that amplify their promise by telling their story: what it means to have an “#OnlyVegas” experience. The Las Vegas Convention Center, known in the meetings industry for its versatility, offers a 4.6 million-sf facility located within a short distance to 150,000 hotel rooms. Additionally, it holds 2.9 million sf of exhibit space, 225 meeting rooms and it handles seating capacities ranging from 20 to 2,500. There are two grand lobbies and registration areas, one located in the West Hall, and the other in the Central Hall, linking the halls and meeting rooms, and allowing simultaneous set-up, break- down and exhibiting of multiple events. Mandalay Bay The International Sign Association (ISA) and World Pet Association (WPA) are but two organizations that have booked successful annual trade shows & conferences at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas for the past several years. Mike Karsting, senior vice presi- dent for WPA, explains why: “As one of the largest convention centers in the U.S., Mandalay Bay offers the space we need to showcase the best in pet retail each year. That includes more than 1,100 exhibitors and 1,058 new products. With 2.1 million gross sf of meeting and exhibit space, it’s where you can go BIG. More prod- ucts, more demos, more attendees, more education — you name it.” Besides having significant event space available, Karsting and MacK- enzie each cite Mandalay’s conve- nient location as another deciding factor in choosing the property. “The Convention Center is attached to the Mandalay Bay Resort, so SUPERZOO attendees can stay on property and never miss a beat,” says Karsting. “There are also multiple hotel options within walking distance to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center — Luxor and Excalibur — all at reasonable price points.” And when it comes to entertainment? “The venue hosts multiple entertainment experiences inside the three hotels including the Blue Man Group performances, Michael Jack- son Cirque show, the Titanic Exhibit and many more iconic experiences central to Las Vegas,” says Karsting. Having multiple diverse, high-quality restaurants onsite also boosts attendee’s overall conference enjoyment. “There was always someplace new to try. From Slice of Vegas to Hus- song’s Mexican Cantina, to Libertine Social and beyond, a good meal was easy to find,” says Karsting. “Plus, access to more options meant we were able to accommodate everyone’s prefer- ences and dietary restrictions.” For booking specific program events, Karsting found Mandalay Bay Beach the perfect spot for their end-of-show net- working event. “The indoor and outdoor loca- tions across the property lent us the flexibility to host educa- tion, exhibits and an outdoor beach party all within one property. The location and atmosphere are unmatched and a high point for SUPER- ZOO attendees. The venue’s combined hotel access also lent the flexibility to host private and partner hosted networking events.” Catering food for the 2,500 attendees at the event included “corndogs, fries, grilled cheese and sliders. Staff dinners were held on-site at Border Grill and KUMI Japanese Restaurant + Bar. Each day for lunch, they ordered from nearby themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2024 Mike Karsting Senior Vice President World Pet Association The indoor and outdoor locations across the property lent us the flexibility to host education, exhibits and an outdoor beach party all within one property. RULE THE WORLD. Discover a Premier Destination for Association Events at Resorts World Las Vegas Welcome to Resorts World Las Vegas, where your association events are transformed into unforgettable experiences. Our property is thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of the association market, offering a culture of diversity and inclusion, unparalleled convenience, and innovative engagement options. A PROPERTY BUILT FOR ASSOCIATION EVENTS: Convenient and Cohesive Design: Our event spaces are primarily located on a single level, ensuring seamless navigation for your attendees. Steps away from the guestrooms, this design fosters a sense of community and ease, allowing participants to focus on what truly matters. A CULTURE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Inclusive Environment: We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Our diverse team is dedicated to making every attendee feel valued and respected, enhancing the overall event experience. FLEXIBLE AND UNIQUE SPACES: Versatile Event Spaces: Our flexible event spaces can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your association, from intimate meetings to large-scale conferences. Our property activation options offer unique opportunities for your suppliers to showcase their brands creatively. TAILORED EXPERIENCES WITH THREE BRANDS: Customized Stays: With three distinct brands within Resorts World, we offer a range of flexible rates and experiences. This allows your attendees to select accommodations that best suit their preferences, ensuring a comfortable and personalized stay. ENGAGING ATTENDEE EXPERIENCE: Genting App: Our innovative Genting app elevates the attendee experience through gamification and personalization. Attendees can engage with the resort in fun and interactive ways, making their stay memorable and enjoyable. At Resorts World Las Vegas, we understand the importance of creating an environment where association events thrive. Our commitment to diversity, flexibility, and innovation ensures that your event will not only meet but exceed expectations. Choose Resorts World Las Vegas for your next association event and experience a new standard of excellence. Discover how Resorts World Las Vegas can elevate your next association event. Contact our sales team to day to start planning an unforgettable experience for your attendees. 702.676.7000 rwlasvegas.com ONE EVENT AT A TIME COURTESY OF MIKE KARSTING Last summer, The Mandalay Bay Convention Center hosted SUPERZOO, the largest pet retail event in America, bringing in more than 1,110 exhibitors, seminars, grooming contests, a beach party and more. 46RULE THE WORLD. Discover a Premier Destination for Association Events at Resorts World Las Vegas Welcome to Resorts World Las Vegas, where your association events are transformed into unforgettable experiences. Our property is thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of the association market, offering a culture of diversity and inclusion, unparalleled convenience, and innovative engagement options. A PROPERTY BUILT FOR ASSOCIATION EVENTS: Convenient and Cohesive Design: Our event spaces are primarily located on a single level, ensuring seamless navigation for your attendees. Steps away from the guestrooms, this design fosters a sense of community and ease, allowing participants to focus on what truly matters. A CULTURE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Inclusive Environment: We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Our diverse team is dedicated to making every attendee feel valued and respected, enhancing the overall event experience. FLEXIBLE AND UNIQUE SPACES: Versatile Event Spaces: Our flexible event spaces can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your association, from intimate meetings to large-scale conferences. Our property activation options offer unique opportunities for your suppliers to showcase their brands creatively. TAILORED EXPERIENCES WITH THREE BRANDS: Customized Stays: With three distinct brands within Resorts World, we offer a range of flexible rates and experiences. This allows your attendees to select accommodations that best suit their preferences, ensuring a comfortable and personalized stay. ENGAGING ATTENDEE EXPERIENCE: Genting App: Our innovative Genting app elevates the attendee experience through gamification and personalization. Attendees can engage with the resort in fun and interactive ways, making their stay memorable and enjoyable. At Resorts World Las Vegas, we understand the importance of creating an environment where association events thrive. Our commitment to diversity, flexibility, and innovation ensures that your event will not only meet but exceed expectations. Choose Resorts World Las Vegas for your next association event and experience a new standard of excellence. Discover how Resorts World Las Vegas can elevate your next association event. Contact our sales team to day to start planning an unforgettable experience for your attendees. 702.676.7000 rwlasvegas.com ONE EVENT AT A TIMECitizens Kitchen & Bar, or the food court, which hosted six various cuisine selections, all located inside the Mandalay Bay. “The vast array of fantastic restaurants on property are always popular as attendees don’t have to leave, which is really con- venient. The views from Skyfall Lounge and the Foundation Room are absolutely incredible and a definite group favorite,” says MacKenzie. The Mandalay Bay boasts three swimming pools and a lazy river, in addition to a free cardio gym (or for a fee of $25 per day, access to more state-of-the-art exercise equipment). Not to mention a world-class 30,000-sf spa offering a bevy of body treatments, scrubs and full-service salon. “Aside from the great restaurants onsite (attendees always rave about Stripsteak), BBQ Mexicana is a great quick and healthy option to grab as we are always so busy onsite,” says MacKenzie. “We have been lucky to hold special events at some of the wonderfully unique options available, such as the Foundation Room, which is really eclectic; the Speakeasy 1923 Prohibition Bar, which is a lot of fun; and Seascape, which is an intimate space offering great underwater views of the aquarium. We’ve also held our party outside at the pool of their adjacent sister property, the Luxor, which has been great to get our group outside to enjoy the perfect April weather. We’ve always found the quality of food and service to be exceptional. Mandalay Bay always works hard to exceed expectations and provide memorable experiences.” Karsting’s group also had a great time at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. “We offered our attendees, exhibitors and partners a location that gave them the ultimate experience with access to onsite and off-site activities, accommodations and diverse cuisine selections.” “We’ve always found Mandalay Bay to be an excellent part- ner,” MacKenzie says. “We are already looking forward to, and planning our next event in 2025.” The Venetian Resort Las Vegas On the historic site of the Sands Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip is The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, a recreation of the Italian city of Venice, featuring famous landmarks, winding canals and gondolas, providing attendees an authentic Ital- ian experience. The Venetian Resort recently unveiled its largest and most expensive hotel renovation ever — an investment of $1.5 billion, enriching their convention space and resort offerings with contemporary luxury, including their more than 7,100 suites, ranging in size from 650 sf to the 9,000-sf Chairman suite. The 120,000-sf casino is equipped with slot machines, table games, a high-limit salon, race and sports book and newly expanded baccarat venue with added pri- vacy for VIPS. Home to a collection of sophisticated event spaces that strike an optimal balance between form and function, luxury and practicality, The Venetian Resort offers event planners 2.25 million sf of meeting space, including five showrooms, as well as banquet halls, classrooms and a theatre for group gatherings of any size. After work, attendees can catch a show or concert or stroll down to the Grand Canal Shoppes, which feature chic boutiques and restaurants. They can also catch a ride on authentic Italian gondolas navigated by an opera- singing gondolier. Wynn Las Vegas There’s nothing in the world like Las Vegas — and report- edly, “there’s nothing in Las Vegas like Wynn.” It is unsurpris- ing that it holds more Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards than any other independent hotel company, offering award- winning restaurants, amazing accommodations, entertain- ment, spas and luxury shopping. Wynn Las Vegas also offers 300,000 sf of event venues, including outdoor areas — a pavilion and garden grounds with stunning views of Wynn Golf Club’s 19th fairway and waterfall. Its total 560,000 sf of exceptional space has hosted many suc- cessful events. Caesars Palace | CAESARS FORUM For planners and attendees looking to experience every- thing Las Vegas has to offer, Caesars Palace is an iconic, vibrant resort, where they can select from an extensive list of Las Vegas center-Strip room types and create one-of-a-kind events. As one of the largest Las Vegas hotels, with five towers of rooms, suites and villas, and a plethora of meeting spaces, when it’s time for a break, attendees can explore spectacu- lar entertainment and nightlife, a wide variety of celebrity chef restaurants, a world-class buffet and other delectable dining options. To explore everything Caesars has to offer, the LEED- Silver-Certified 550,000-sf CAESARS FORUM is an archi- tectural marvel reimagining the landscape of Las Vegas event destinations. The ultra-modern design, immersive technology and world-class service provides an unparalleled event experi- ence. For large-scale conventions, the FORUM PLAZA offers 100,000 sf of outdoor event space constructed specifically for grand affairs. The world’s two largest pillarless ballrooms accommodate up to 10,000 attendees. Whether it is Las Vegas world-class venues and world’s top meeting facilities, like the ones listed above, including conven- tion centers, event and entertainment venues, casinos, restau- rants and shops — Las Vegas — that neon oasis in the desert that lights up the sky from morning to night — is in a class by itself, equipped with mind-blogging attractions and unique experiences to inspire any team. | AC&F | themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 202448 COURTESY OF IAIN MACKENZIE Attendees at the ISA International Sign Expo last year enjoyed an industry party at Luxor’s poolside.Next >